1) 148 gr HBWC, win SP primers, OAL is 1.382" 3.9 gr win 231 powder. This grouped very well, about 1.5" at 25 yards.

2) 158 gr RNFP, win SP primers, OAL is 1.554" 3.9 gr win 231 powder. This grouped very poor, about 5" at 25 yards.

What changes would you make to the 2nd load???
With this load I have a mild crimp in the lube grove. The bullet looks just like lyman # 358311 from the lyman manual.
I did try a few with 3.6 and then 4.2 grains of 231. About the same results.

any advice welcome...

Use the 158 gr load for close range fast practice. Quick draws ect the five inch group at 25 yards make no differance at 3 5 and 7 yards doing speed draws and muti targets.

probably the crimp. light bell and no crimp.
are the bullets lubed?
What hand gun, barrel length, and twist?
Model K14 masterpiece Smith.
My go to target load for the 38spl. is.
3.2gr of bullseye and sp primer 158gr rn.
1.55oal

guns:
ruger gp 100 6"
S+W model 27 8"

I have lots or win 231 powder to use.
And win primers.
Both guns shot the same. Both bullets are baked moly lubed. Both are .358 diameter. Accuracy...
Excellent with the 148gr HBWC.
Crap with the 158gr RNFP.

So what should I do with the 158gr RNFP???

quote:

Both are .358 diameter

Are you sure that they are .358". No, I'm not trying to be a wiseguy. Check the diameter of both bullets. Try sliding them through each of the cylinder throats. It might even be a good idea to slug the barrel and each of the cylinder throats as well.
My thioughts are the wadcutters fit the throats better than the heavier bullets which is why I suggest measuring them.
Say your bore is .358" and the cylinder throats are .359" You'd need a bullet of .359 to 360" to get the best accuracy and little or no leading.
I shoot mostly .44 mag. with cast bullets. My bore is .429", cylinder throats are .430" and I size my bullets to .431 or .432" depending on which .44 handgun I'm shooting.
I'm not saying this will clear up the problem, but at least it will eliminate those factors. It might even fix the problem.
Paul B.

I think you need to get the 158 bullets up closer to max
sierra max load is 4.6 grains of ww231..
6" barrel twist 1:18 3/4"

I have always had better loads with the faster powdeers for the 158gr bullets.

quote:

Originally posted by arcticat:
guns:
ruger gp 100 6"
S+W model 27 8"

I have lots or win 231 powder to use.
And win primers.
Both guns shot the same. Both bullets are baked moly lubed. Both are .358 diameter. Accuracy...
Excellent with the 148gr HBWC.
Crap with the 158gr RNFP.

So what should I do with the 158gr RNFP???

In my mod. 28 using 357 cases, I use 4.5 grains of Bullseye or 231, with bullet sized .3595, Winchester primers. This loads works well with 140 swc and 150sws, and a 160 grain full wad cutter.
You may want to seat you bullets further out of the case, to fit in the cyclinder's forcing cone.
Are your full wadcutters factory swaged or cast?
If they are factory the skirt is filling the chamber mouths.
Jim

146gr HBWC .357"

158gr RNFP .356"

thanks guys...

Both bullets are undersize but the HBWC is expanding to fill the bore & take the rifling. Your 158gr are "sliding" through. If you can take them back. They should be .358 unless your throats are small.